Thanksgiving Desserts

     There are four things I bake very well -- Foccacia Bread, Crème Brulee, Flourless Chocolate Cake, and Peanut Butter Pie. The rest of the time, I can follow a recipe if there is something that needs to be baked. When I have to come up with baking recipes from scratch I need to think about the chemical reactions between the ingredients. In baking, everything has to be precise in order for the right chemical reactions to take place otherwise either the bread doesn't rise or the soufflé will fall.

The reason I can bake those four things very well is due to repetition. If you make the same thing over and over and over, it becomes almost second nature and can be reproduced anywhere at anytime. The last time I came up with a cheesecake recipe was in culinary school. I was supposed to make a passion fruit cheesecake. The cheesecake came out great, but I ended up making NINE of them instead of just one. Needless to say, I got an “A” (excellent) for taste and a “C” (passing) for the ingredients used.

With the holidays swiftly catching up with us, we need to get our ducks in a row and our menu started for the first family event of the season. Good desserts seem to always be the hardest to make (at least for me), so that would be the best thing to knock out first. The traditional Pumpkin and Apple pies are great, but why not throw a cheesecake out there just in case. There are many fruit purees available either in the grocery stores or through the internet that can be added to your favorite cheesecake recipes to create something out of this world.

Getting into the Holiday spirit yet? The first holiday of the season is over, now comes part 2 -- Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving gives us a lot of opportunities for creativity in the kitchen. Yes, I know you have to make turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, etc. But you can have fun with desserts, right? What better way to have fun with desserts than by making cookies? Finger food desserts like cookies give kids and their parents the perfect "out". When your guests say," I can't eat another bite," show them the cookie tray, with bite-sized cookies, and I guarantee another bite will be taken. 

Cookies have the advantage over pies and cakes, because you don't need a plate on which to serve them or silverware with which to eat them. They are perfect just to pick up and eat in front of the TV. while watching Dallas kick butt with whoever they are playing this year. Enjoy these cookie recipes and enjoy serving them to your guests. Get started early in the kitchen, try out some cheesecake recipes or make some cookies for Thanksgiving before it gets here. Have fun, stay well, and Bon Appetit

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Snickerdoodles

1 Cup (2 dl) shortening
1-½ Cups (3 dl) sugar
2 eggs
2-¼ Cups (4-½ dl)
2 tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
Cinnamon sugar (2 Tbsp sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon)

1. Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs.
2. Mix in remaining ingredients. (not cinnamon sugar)
3. Roll in one inch balls; dip in cinnamon sugar.
4. Bake two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet at 350° F ( 180° C) for about eight minutes.
5. Remove to cooling rack or paper bag.


Oatmeal Crispies
(Makes 5 dozen)

1 Cup shortening
1 Cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 Cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-½ Cups (3 dl) flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 Cups (6 dl) quick oats
½ Cup (1 dl) walnuts, chopped

1. Cream shortening and brown and white sugar.
2. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
3. Add flour, salt, and soda.
4. Add oatmeal and nuts; mix well.
5. Shape in rolls; wrap in wax paper and chill 1 hour.
6. Slice 1/2 inch (1-¼ cm) thick; bake on ungreased sheet at 350° F (180° C) for 10 minutes.
7. Cool.


Butternut Chewies

½ Cup (1 dl) margarine, melted
2 eggs
2 Cups (4 dl) light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp vanilla
1-½ Cups (3 dl) flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 Cup (2 dl) nuts, chopped

1. Beat eggs; beat in sugar, vanilla, and margarine until creamy.
2. Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in nuts.
4. Spread in greased 13 X 9 X 2 inch (32.5 x 22.5 x 5 cm) cake pan.
5. Bake at 350° F (180° C) for 25-30 minutes or until top is light brown.
6. Cool 10-15 minutes.
7. Cut into squares.